The Pastoral Council

The Pastoral Council is the core community of the parish, a representative group that serves to advance the mission of the church, especially of Saint Michael Parish.  Because it is important for the laity to have an active and essential part of the life of the church, the Council, in collaboration with the pastor, has the responsibility to:

~identify needs of the parish and provide leadership
~set goals for the parish
~coordinate parish activities
~maintain awareness of the current issues that affect local, diocesan, and the universal church

The Pastoral Council consists of eight members nominated and discerned from within the Parish Community and representatives from the various commissions, as well as the professional staff.  It is organized in six commissions:  Liturgy, Community Affairs, Christian Formation, Youth, Social, and Finance and Administration.  (These six commissions are outlined below). 

Liturgy Commission
The Liturgical Commission strives to celebrate in ritual the Paschal Mystery of Christ in our midst.  Using the Liturgical Calendar as its guide, the Commission plans celebrations throughout the Church year that highlight the life of Christ and our life as a Church.  Through the planning of worship services that center on Word and Sacrament, and on active participation of the community enhanced by appropriate liturgical music, the Commission strives to make liturgy the work of the people, a work which teaches and serves as the lifeblood of the parish.

Community Affairs Commission
The Community Affairs Commission is charged by the Pastoral Council Bylaws to identify social needs and resources in the parish and larger community, and to facilitate a response.  These needs should be met whenever possible by cooperating with other church and community groups.  The following groups or activities are implemented through the Community Affairs Commission:  Caregivers, Bless This House, Thanksgiving Baskets, Giving Tree, May Flowers, Crop Walk, and School.

Christian Formation Commission
The goals of the Christian Formation Commission are to identify educational needs and resources within the parish for adults, to recruit volunteer teachers, to formulate goals, to develop budget, and to prepare and evaluate programs.  Outside the parish, the commission is charged to use actively the resources of the Christian Life Center.  The following initiatives implement the goals of this commission:  Orders of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), the Rite of Christian Initiation of Children, and a variety of Children's programs.

Youth Ministry
The thrust of the Youth Ministry for Saint Michael Parish closely follows the Vision Paper, written in 1976 at a gathering of the National Foundation for Youth Ministry.  The Vision Paper outlined two goals for this ministry:

~to work toward the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person
~to draw young people to responsible participation in the life, mission and work of the faith community

This document included seven aspects that are integrated into specific programs of the ministry.  Those aspects are:  evangelization, worship and prayer, advocacy, guidance and healing, community life, catechesis, and peace and justice.

Junior High and Confirmation Programs involve regular meetings for catechesis for the youth and their families.  This also involves special liturgies and sacramental celebrations.  Youth Groups from both Junior High and High School meet regularly for a variety of activities. 

Catholic Exonians is a group of Catholic students at Phillips Exeter Academy who meet for sharing, discussion, and social activities.

Social Commission
The members of the Social Commission plan recreational and cultural programs for the varied needs of the parishioners and coordinate social activities of the parish community.  As a part of promoting parish-wide social activities, they also provide refreshments and service other parish groups in order to strengthen a sense of community.

Coffee and Doughnuts are served after Sunday Masses to enhance the Eucharist experience.     
The Christmas Fair is a major event and fund raiser which includes our parish raffle.
The Lenten Fish Fry is an event at which a fish fry meal is served.

Finance and Administration Commission
Parish material needs are determined by this commission, which makes recommendations and prepares a budget for approval by the Pastoral Council.  This group is also responsible for an annual financial report to the parishioners and for providing a periodic inspection of all parish properties, recommending changes in light of parish needs.  The Finance and Administration Commission also sponsors the annual $10,000 raffle, a major parish fundraiser.